Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link

HIV-Associated Nephropathy

By

Frank O'Brien

, MD, Washington University in St. Louis

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2023
View PATIENT EDUCATION
Topic Resources

HIV-associated nephropathy is characterized by clinical findings similar to those of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and often biopsy features of collapsing glomerulopathy (a variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis).

HIV-associated nephropathy, a type of nephrotic syndrome Overview of Nephrotic Syndrome Nephrotic syndrome is urinary excretion of > 3 g of protein/day due to a glomerular disorder plus edema and hypoalbuminemia. It is more common among children and has both primary and secondary... read more , seems to be more common among Black patients with HIV who are injection drug users or have been poorly adherent to their antiretroviral therapy regimen. Infection of renal cells with HIV may contribute.

Diagnosis of HIV-Associated Nephropathy

  • Renal biopsy

Ultrasonography, if done, shows that the kidneys are enlarged and highly echogenic.

Renal biopsy typically is done. Light microscopy shows capillary collapse of varying severity (collapsing glomerulopathy) and differing degrees of increased mesangial matrix. Tubular cells show marked degenerative changes and tubular atrophy or microcytic dilation. Interstitial immune cell infiltrate, fibrosis, and edema are common. Tubular reticular inclusions, similar to those in systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory disorder of autoimmune etiology, occurring predominantly in young women. Common manifestations may include arthralgias and... read more Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) , are found within endothelial cells but are now rare with more effective HIV therapy.

Depictions of HIV-Associated Nephropathy

Normotension and persistently enlarged kidneys help to differentiate HIV-associated nephropathy from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Treatment of HIV-Associated Nephropathy

  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and angiotensin inhibition

Control of the HIV infection may help minimize renal damage; in fact, HIV-associated nephropathy is rare in patients taking ART with well-controlled HIV infection. Angiotensin inhibition with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is probably of some benefit. The role of corticosteroids is not well defined. At some centers, outcomes after kidney transplantation Kidney Transplantation Kidney transplantation is the most common type of solid organ transplantation. (See also Overview of Transplantation.) The primary indication for kidney transplantation is End-stage renal failure... read more have been excellent.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Crixivan
Norvir
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP